CHAMPION OF CHAMPIONS TOURNAMENT 2009 DAY REVIEW

18th August 2010

A review of 2009's Champion of Champions Tournament.

Champion of Champions Tournament 2009

Saturday 04 July saw 30 more teams converge on Sheffield for the chance to be crowned the top 6 aside team in the country. Sheffield University provided the field of dreams, seven of Champion Soccer’s finest officials came to keep order and mother nature provided a day of pure sunshine to keep all the WAG’s and posers happy.

As is often the case teams who come with strong reputations from their leagues are put to the sword early doors IGP construction (Huddersfield) and PSV Billericay were unfortunate enough to face The Cheese (Wirral) and Ravensthorpe (Dewsbury) and were made to suffer. Eddies Old Boys (Wolverhampton) and Iron Men (Skipton) also got off to flying starts with 5-0 victories.

The competition seemed tighter than in previous years, with so many teams getting off to a winning start only to lose straight after. Last years champions Magnet Boys (Sheffield) couldn’t repeat last years heroics and suffered an early exit.

As the knock out stages started to take shape Gav’s Galactico’s from Grimsby had emerged undefeated, as had the Cheese and Ravensthorpe. Morecombe and Wise (Wilmslow) and Plough (Lincoln) were making quiet progress and moved through to the Quarters in efficient fashion. Game of the last 16 saw The Cheese battle Iron Men. An end to end game saw no quarter given and with some outstanding saves by the Cheese keeper keeping his side in the game it looked like a draw was imminent, until a mislaid pass back to the keeper caused all sorts of bother in the Iron Men back line and The Cheese were on their way to the last 8.

Stalwarts of the tournament and the Wolverhampton league Eddies Old Boys showed age was no barrier as they moved on, Dingham (Guiseley) after a good start to the day struggled after gifting 2 early goals to Woodhey Y2K (Bury), a great individual goal could have put them back in it but a break away goal saw them sent home.

In the words of Alex Ferguson it was now squeaky bum time. No team wanting to go out at this stage, but all feeling the affects of a warm day and over an hour and a half’s football in their legs.

Woodhey Y2K continued their good showing sending the Old Boys out in a hard fought battle. Morecombe & Wise continued at the expense of Gav’s Galacticos – who could return home heads high after a strong showing, despite the fact they normally play 5 aside in the Grimsby league. Ravensthorpe and The Cheese looked to reignite their rivalry from the group stages in the final as they both made swift progress to the semi’s.

Following a day of no penalties or golden goals it was destined to happen sooner or later. Ravensthorpe vs Morecombe and Wise ended in stalemate, Golden goal extra time began and within a minute a moment of genius from the Ravensthorpe number 10 saw him pick his way past seemingly the entire opposing side with a goal worthy of winning any game. The Cheese vs Woodhey Y2K was also made to go to golden goal due to a last minute equalizer from Woodhey. There were tired legs all round but as penalties seemed inevitable the Cheese striker popped up to send his team to the final.

The final was set:- Dewsbury vs Wirral, one side of the pennines vs the other, Ravensthorpe vs The Cheese. Doug Stewart was charged with officiating the game following an excellent first Tournament from the North West referee.

The Cheese manager kicked & headed every ball for his team, Ravensthorpe’s arm chair manager barked orders from behind the goal, fortunately for all the gathered spectators it was less stressful as they could just sit back and watch a great final between 2 excellent sides in the Sheffield sunshine.

The Dewsbury side came out firing and quickly established a 2 goal lead, but The Cheese were making them work for it and got a goal back. As the Cheese pushed on they were left exposed at the back and again the Ravensthorpe attack came to the fore with 2 excellent team goals which ensured the trophy would be heading back north with them. Final score 5 – 2

Special guest for the day Everton and Wirral refereeing legend Gerry Jones gave the teams some of his many pearls of wisdom and an amusing story which left all referees concerned for their cars well being, before handing out the trophies as teams and officials celebrated a days work well done.

A big thank you to all teams for making it an excellent day for all involved. The referees for the day were Gerry Jones & Doug Stewart (Wirral) Lee Creasy (Bradford) John Burrows (Sheffield) Darren Harwood (Rotherham) Dave Horner (Castleford) & Chris Holmes (Wakefield). All showed why they are held in such high regard in their respective regions, making the strong decisions but offering an approachable style of refereeing keeping within the friendly but competitive feel of the day.

For the chance to enter next years competition contact Champion Soccer and we will add you to the list to receive details early next year.

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